Ever looked up at a tower crane and thought, “I’d love to be part of that”?
Or watched a team lift massive beams into place and wondered who’s calling the shots on the ground?
If you’re nodding along, a dogging and rigging course might be exactly what you need to get started. It’s your ticket to hands-on, high stakes work in construction, infrastructure and heavy industry.
And there’s serious demand across Victoria and beyond.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what you’ll learn, where you can work, and how Construction Training International (CTI) helps you launch your career from the ground up. Sometimes all the way into the air!
What does a dogging and rigging course cover?
Before you’re guiding a crane operator or setting up complex lifts, you need to know your gear and your responsibilities. Dogging and rigging courses equip you with the skills, knowledge and licensing needed to safely manage loads, use rigging gear, and communicate effectively on high-risk sites.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Dogging (DG licence): You’ll learn how to safely slings loads, direct crane movements using hand signals and radios, and assess lifting gear and procedures.
- Rigging: This takes things a step further. Depending on your licence level (Basic (RB), Intermediate (RI), or Advanced (RA)) you’ll work with cranes, hoists, structural steel and scaffolding setups.
It’s safety-critical work. That’s why all courses follow strict national competency standards and include both theory and hands-on practical training at CTI’s purpose-built simulation site.
Where can a dogging and rigging qualification take you?
There’s more than one way to climb the career ladder after finishing your training. A dogging and rigging qualification unlocks access to a range of high-demand jobs across multiple industries.
Think:
- Major construction projects in Melbourne and regional Victoria
- Mining operations needing riggers for heavy lifts and plant relocation
- Transport and logistics hubs with large-scale loading/unloading needs
- Infrastructure builds like rail upgrades, bridgeworks and tunnel projects
- Precast yards and fabrication shops where structural elements are moved daily
If you’re qualified, safety-minded and good at team communication, you’ll be welcomed on-site.
Entry-level roles you can start in
Fresh out of your dogging and rigging course? Don’t worry, there are solid entry points for new starters. These roles help you build site hours, prove your reliability and grow your confidence on the job:
Dogger / Dogman
As a dogger, you’re the crane operator’s eyes and ears on the ground. You’ll inspect gear, attach slings and safely guide lifts. This is a must-have role on any site using cranes.
Basic rigger
After your DG and RB licences, you can move straight into tasks like setting up hoists, installing safety nets or helping erect structural components under supervision.
General construction labourer (with high-risk tickets)
Even general site roles become more valuable when you bring dogger or rigger qualifications to the team. You’ll get preference on sites that need lifting or gear movement.
How to move up in your rigging or dogging career
Once you’re on-site and racking up experience, it doesn’t stop there. A dogging and rigging course is just the beginning of a strong and flexible career pathway.
Here’s how you can keep climbing:
- Get your intermediate (RI) or advanced (RA) rigging licence to take on more complex lifts, tower cranes and heavy structural installs.
- Upskill into crane operation. Many doggers eventually become operators after completing additional high-risk work tickets.
- Step into site supervision once you’ve got the hours and leadership chops. Good riggers often become leading hands or site foremen.
- Work FIFO (fly-in fly-out) if you’re up for it. Mining and major projects often need multi-ticketed riggers and doggers for remote contracts.
How CTI helps you launch your career in rigging and dogging
At Construction Training International, we’ve helped thousands of students across Victoria get their high-risk work tickets and start meaningful careers in construction. Here’s how we do it:
Real-world training, real-site feel
You’ll train at our dedicated simulation site, using the same equipment and procedures found on actual job sites. It’s classroom theory and hands-on from day one.
Pathways beyond the ticket
Our team can help you map out next steps. Whether that’s additional tickets, a Certificate III in Civil Construction, or connections to employers needing skilled riggers and doggers.
FAQs about dogging and rigging careers
Do I need experience to start a dogging and rigging course?
No prior experience is required. CTI’s dogging and rigging courses are beginner-friendly and cover everything you need to know from the ground up. You just need to be 18 or older and have basic English literacy and numeracy skills.
What’s the difference between a dogger and a rigger?
Doggers focus on attaching loads and guiding crane movements. Riggers do that too, but they’re also trained to set up equipment like hoists, safety nets, and structural gear. Rigging comes in levels: basic, intermediate and advanced.
Can I get a job straight after the course?
Yes, many CTI students start in entry-level roles as soon as they get their licence. Job-ready skills, real-world training and nationally recognised credentials help open doors across construction, mining and logistics.
How long does the course take?
The Dogging course takes 5 days. Each rigging level (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) is a separate 4 to 5 day course.
Can I do both dogging and rigging at the same time?
CTI offers a dogging, basic rigging, and scissor lift operation combo. Contact us to enquire about this bundled course that covers three highly used skills.
Whether you’re chasing your first site job or stepping up into high-risk work, a dogging and rigging course with CTI gives you the skills, the licence, and the launchpad you need.
Give our team a call today and let’s get your career off the ground.
